Mortar and pestle



June 16, 1942e L Ho-r-r- 2,286,599

MoRTAR AND PESTLE Filed April 22, 1940 attested .time is, -ieee meestePATENT A Mon'rAaANn rns'rnn f sewer.. cima, chicago, m. ApplicationApril 22, 1940, Serial No. 330,941'

- pressure on the pestle to Just stirring` it without applying anypressure. It is therefore necessary to simulate these various pressuresfrom 5 pounds where it is necessary to grind the alloy and reduce theparticle size to practically no pressure on some of the alloys where theparticle size is not to be disturbed by mixing. y

From a series of experiments and research I `have found that diierentalloys require diiereut size pestles, ranging in weight from 1.5gramstov .1 gram in order to meet the various technics oi' triturationto simulate the various pressuresrecommended by the diilerentmanufacturers.l

Here, it is also necessary to have the pestle of a given weight.

If this mortar inthe form-of a capsule is agitated without any weight orpestle in it, the amalgamation is very slow. and when amalgamation doestake place it forms a globule which is dry in the center, because theinertia caused by this agitation forces the mercury to the outer ends orsurface of the globule, which is due to the diierence in the specificgravity of the mercury and alloy materials. The mercury being forced tothe surface causes-the center to be dry, or in order to make the amalgamfit for practical use, it is o'r would be necessary to place it in aglass mortar and triturate it until it becomes a plastic,homogeneousmass. This latter operation however, in the majority ofcases, causes an over trituration which renders it useless for insertioninto the tooth cavity, because over trituration causes shrinkage, leakyfillings, and loss of strength. 1

Under Government requirements, an amalgam must expand when used as alling in order to prevent same from getting loose or falling out, asdistinguished from contraction or shrinking. In coarse cut amalgams aheavy pestle and pressure is required in the mortar. For ne `cutamalgams a lighter type of pestle is required to finely divide andtriturate the material and to prevent too severe a pressure and impact,or any (Cl. 8S-10) The' primary object of the present invention is toprovide a novel "nortar and pestle for quickly trlturating theingredients, and which can be used in certain sizes and weightsso thatthe time required for triturating or amalgamati'ng any amalgam can bedetermined in advance so that the proper triturationand the best resultsare insured in the shortest possible time.

. Another object is` to provide a novel capsulel .10 mortar and pestlefor use therewith, particularly in a machine hereinafter describedand asset forth in my prior application for patent for Dental amalgamator,Serial No. 262,118, iiled March 16, 1939, which matured in Patent No.

2,201,428 oh May 21, 1940, whereby points or sharp portions are avoidedat the ends or points of impact or engagement with the ends of thecapsule mortar, to prevent piercing the latter,

and at the` same time, to insure proper andv 2o thorough mixing ofmercury and alloy materialsin less time, without too much pressure wherelight pressure or practically no pressure, but` I substantially merely amixing operation is required.

Further objects and advantages will appear .1

and be brought out more fully in the following speciicatiomreferencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 1s a side view of the device showing the 30 capsule in solid anddotted lines at the ends of its -stroke in either direction;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of same in another or midposition;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of same taken on the line 3 3 of Fig.1';

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the mortar supportingmeans or arm, mortar with la pestle or pellet therein and arm actuatingmeans;

40 Fig. 5 is a plan view of the eccentric bushing and itsmounting in theposition shownin Fig. 2

or a side view of the bushing with the parts vin the dotted lineposition shown in Fig.1;

'Fig.6 is a plan view of same with its position changed, turned oroscillated on a horizontal axis, 180 degrees or a side view of thebushing in the full line" position shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 'i is an end-view of the eccentric bushing;.'

. Fig. 8 isa view from the opposite end of the bushing; and

Fig..9 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view of the mortartakenhorizontally or vertically and with the pestle in elevation anddotted line positions of operation.

of the objections heretofore referred to herein. Referring to thedrawing, there is shovm in shown in my copending application. Serial No.262,118, filed March 16, 1939, which matured in Patent No. 2,201,428 onMay 21, 1940, of which this is a division in part and a continuation inpart and in which I5 designates the base having which forms a sort ofpan to collect and retain any droppings of amalgam while openings I8 areprovided in any suitable number to fastenl 2,286,599 Figs. 1 to 3, thetype of amalgamator or triturator cushion feet I6 and a surroundingtopflange I'l for controlling the operation of the motor, the

shaft 23 of which has an angular or eccentric `portion. The end 24 isshown threaded to take an eccentric sleeve 25 having a collar- 26 at itsinner end with the face 21 normal to the axis of the shaft and the face28 normal to the axis of the sleeve with a slight divergence between theangle of the periphery of the bushing or axis thereof, and that of theshaft which is acute and preferably about sixv degrees. The peripheralsurface 29 of the sleeve is similarly eccentric to the shaft and formsthe eccentric portion thereof which asv designated at 30 is internallythreaded to x the sleeve to the shaft. loosely mounted on the.- sleeveis a bushing 3I with suitable anti-friction bearings and a split collar32 having apertured ears 33V connected by the lbolt 34 to clamp the sameto the bushing or loose part. Suitable means is provided to hold thecollar in a fixed position or upright, such as tion 'of the bushing inFig. 2.

carries a mortar supportingmeans with divergent Y with the bearing, but'not with the outer end of the sleeve to permit rotation of the Yshaftand sleeve without undue friction. The inner face 49 of the collar 'iseccentric to the axis of the shaft and the outer face 50 is normalthereto whilethebore 5I is loose and the collar' is held in position bya cap nut threaded on the end of the shaft. With this device,as theshaft is rotated, the arm and capsule will bei oscillated horizontallylaterally on a centralupright or vertical axis, and simultaneouslyreciprocated, oscillated or caused to take a. swinging motion back andforth with each horizontal lateral osin a vertical piane passing throughtheaxis of' the drive shaft and for simultaneously reciprocating themortar on a horizontal axis or its longitudinal axis while preventingrotation of the mortar supporting means lwith the shaft.-

This movement is particularly effective with a form of pestle or pelletas will be later described cylindrical surfaces of the bushings at anangle l of six degrees 4to the shaft is preferable, this can of coursebe varied.

The letter A in Fig. 1, referring to the dotted lines, represents therearmost position of the mortar holding arms and mortar. In thisposition. the longitudinal axis ofthe mortar will be at an angle' tothemotor shaft and in the plane of the motor shaft.

The letter B in Fig. 5 represents the position of the bushing after ithas turned at an langle of degrees from the position which it would havehad with the mortar holding arms in the position of letter A and is thesame as the posi- The letter C indicates the position` of the mortar andmortar holding arms after the bushing hasA been moved 90 degrees furtherin its revolutionsor degrees from the dotted line position in Fig. l andthe mortar arms and mortar and bushing'. are in the opposite positionfrom that which they' occupy in the dotted line position in Fig. 1. Thisis the foremost position of the mortar holding arms and mortar; that is,the position when they are farthest away from the motor housing orfarthest to the right, as shown in Fig. 1.

The letter D in Fig. 6 represents fthe position of the bushing after thebushing has, been further turned 90A degrees from the position shown inFig. 1 and this position is opposite from the position shown in Figs. 2and 5.

Letter E indicates a point on the axis of the cylinder of thecylindrical surfaceof the bushing and the bushing turns horizontally onthis axis during every revolution.

In this-way, as the bushing rotates, the mortar travels ina circularmanner from a rearward to a forward position changing or reversing thedirection of the axes of the mortar when it 4travels from a rearward toa forward position and back again as it moves from the forward to therearward position in its rotary path. In

other words,v it travels from the rear forwardly .and from the'forwardposition to a rear 'position and from side to side and changes thedirection of its axes in each revolution of the bushing.

It should be noted from Figs. 4 and 9 of the drawing that the outerconvex'faces 41 of the body section 45 and cap 46 are not only convex,

' but preferably formed on true arcs and the inner concaved ends orsurfaces 53 and 54 thereof have the same radius and are also cut orformed cillation as shownin dotted lines in Fig.- 1 and' in-Fig. 2. Thisis due to the'fact that there is a connection between the shaft, and themortar or capsule supporting means for oscillating the mortar on-itscentral transverse'upright or vertical axis or at the point ofintersection of the 1 transverse and longitudinal-centers or axesthereof which passes radially through said sleeve 25 on true arcs withthe same radii. Inasmuch as the cap 46 is larger in diameter than thebody section, a shoulder 55 is formed, annularly within the cap aroundthe concaved end 54 and this shoulder is abutted b y .the adjacent openend of the body section. Both the body section and the cap are in theform ofV a cylindrical chamber or shell with concaved ends internallyand convex ends externally cut on true circles. Each amalgam and casaccahas a closed end-and an open end so that the body section iits'withinthe cap-or the cap over the body section, and is securely retainedthere-V on with the open end of the body 'section snugly fitting theannular shoulder'. The pestle .or

pellet is designated at 56 and consistsoi-a cylinof the amalgam isdistributed and ihusrrevented from forming a'globule, wherein 'theEiertia could edect a dry center voi the mass formed drical member orbody of uniform diameter throughout its length which is not affected byvl. the mixture ormaterials used 'in the amalgam,

such as mercury and alloys used iny conjunction ltherewith and hasconvex ends 51 also cut on true arcs substantially the same as the confcaved en'ds 53 and 54 of the mortar. This pestle is shown approximatelyone-half the length and I diameter of the mortar or chamber thereof,'but this maybe slightly varied, and the size and weight of thecylindrical body formingthe'pestle will vary according to the pressuredesired in the triturating action so that the'exact time required f toproperly prepare the amalgam with the particular machine and movementsproduced by the device shown and described can be determined in advanceand advised, so that accurate results are absolutely insured and can beguaranteed as is a matter of record. l y

It should be noted from Fig. 9 of the drawing that the pestle orelongated body forming .the same will normally lay on the bottom of themortar and when the latter is actuated' in the manner described, thepestle will be oscillatedv tnrown back and forth so that the convex endsl, as well as the cylindrical sides 'of the `chamber or mortarand-pestle will act with proper impact as Well material within themortar in preparing the violently against hel ends of the mortar toimpact the material therebetween. This is eiece ends oi the pestlethrown' in the mortar alone, that is, the capsule. With the proper sizedpestle :for a given' alloy E have been able to have amalgamation taire`place in three seconds using 1.25 ,grams of alloy and 2.25

1 grams of mercury; whereas, without the use of a pestle of properweight and design it taires from one-halt to one minute to -amalgamatethis above mass and then the amalgam is not ready for immediate use.With my method of 1 mixing amalgam it is ready for immediatev use,andtrituration is completely finished in approximately one-twelfth thetime, or less in some cases. v y l While I have illustrated anddescribed the preferred form of construction for carrying my inventioninto efl'ect,`this isvcapablejof variation. and modiiication withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore. 'do not wishends of approximately the same radii as said sliding motion againstthetively accomplished by the conformity of the ends of the pestle with theconcaved ends of the mortar, and as shown by dotted lines in said Fig.9, the pestle l and slide in diilerent directions diametrically on theends/,of the mortar in substantially diagonal positions at oppositeendsof the mortar chamber 'due to the fact that the chamber ofthe capsulemortar M is considerably larger in diameterand" length than the diameter`and length of the pellet or pestle 56- so as to give an effectivetrlturating or grinding action which is particularly instrumental inspeeding the preparing of the amalgam in a much shorter time than ispossible .in the manner described and restrained from movement laterallyand longitudinally under its inertia by the holding arms of thesupporting means, while the pestle being Ia heavier body andunrestrained in its movements under its inertia, except by the walls ofthe mortar, lwill be oscillated and reciprocated within andindependently of the mortar and slide against the walls of the mortarand material therebetween to be canted or thrown laterally in an arc,particularly at its ends, against and slide on the concaved ends of themortar as shown in dotted lines 'in Fig. 9

of the drawing, to effectively comminute, mix and triturate the mixtureor alloy and mercury for formingthe amalgam. v

The pestle of the present application prevents the possibility of theamalgam forming into a will be caused to be thrown laterally concaveends of the capsule, vthe relative cliame eters and lengths of thecapsule andpestle beingsuch that when the diametrically opposite pointson the opposite ends of the cylindrical portion of the pestle are incontactl with diametrically lopposite portions'of the side wallsoi. thecapsule,l ythe surfaces of the ends of the pestle will be in substantialparallelism with the concave surfaces of the ends of the capsule.

2,'. A mortarand pestle comprising a mortar in the form of a cylindricalshell with a cylindrical 5 internal chamber having the entire area ofeach Y end concaved anda pestle comprising an elon-v gated cylindricalbody with convex ends, said concaved ends `and said convex ends havingthe same radii, the chamber of the shell being'at least twice the lengthand diameter of the pestle.

3. A mortar andpestle, comprising a cylindrical mortar in the form of acapsule including a body section with a closed end and an open end and acap of similar iorm-tted over and held on the open end forming acylindrical internal chamber, the closed ends being concavedv internallyand o! the same radius, and a pestle comprisingv an elongatedcylindrical body about onehalf the length and diameter of the chamberwith convex ends of the same curvature as said concaved ends tosubstantially conform to the latter, the cylindrical wall of the bodysection contacting the closed end of the cap to present a smooth workingsurface for the pestle and the mortar and pestle beingv circular intransverse cross section.

4. The combination with a mortar in the fo of a cylindrical shell havinga cylindrical chamber with internal concaved ends, and a pestle in themortar comprising a cylindrical weighted body having convex ends, saidpestle being approximately one-half 'the length and diameter of the saidchamber, means for supporting and oscillating said shell horizontallylaterally on a ball or globule because the force of agitationsubstantially vertical axis and simultaneously 4 reciprocating the samewith a swinging motion back and forth on a'substantially horlzontal'axiswith each horizontal lateral oscillation, whereby of a cylindrical shellhaving a cylindrical chamber with internal concaved ends, and a pestlein the mortar comprising a cylindrical weighted body having convex ends,said pestle being approximately one-half the length and diameter of.

the said chamber, the concave ends of the chamber and the convex ends ofthe pestle being spherical surfaces having approximately the same radii,means for supporting and oscillating said shell horizontally laterallyon a substantially vertical axis and simultaneously reciprocating thesame with a swinging motion back and forth on a substantially horizontalaxis with each horizontal lateral oscillation, whereby the pestle willbe oscillated within the mortar and slid longitudinally in alternatelydifferently diagonal positions onto the ends of the mortar chamber whenthe shell is actuated in the manner set forth.

EDWARD L. cHo'rr.

